Biology Major
The biology major can lead to many potential pathways in health-sciences and research. The vast majority of our courses include laboratory components which you can expect to learn hands-on skills required to succeed in the sciences. The combination of breadth of topics and lab experiences provide you with the flexibility to enter any biological field and specialize at higher levels of education or join any laboratory at the technician level.
Jose Lizarraga Mazaba, ‘21
Biology major and minoring in Chemistry and Art
The professors will challenge you. Our class work is focused to prepare students for admissions exams and hands-on labwork learning opportunties to prepare you for the real world.
Aaron Camacho, '19
Public Health Liaison, Cudahy (Wis.) Health Department
Stritch's Biology program prepares you for the career field you want to pursue. The program has an individualized component that provides essential baseline knowledge before you begin your practice. The professors will work closely with you to create a plan that helps you achieve your goals.
Rachel Odolski, '17
Flavorist in Training at Prinova Group
Every professor I had was willing to communicate with me and were as flexible as they could be with my athletic schedule.This allowed me to get the most out of my education and continue playing the sport I loved. In my last semester, I had worked closely with my professors to find a way to take larger credit load in order to graduate in time for a pending job offer. I cannot thank them enough for being flexible, supportive, and encouraging.
Program Details
Program Overview
The biology major is designed to give you a broad undergraduate foundation in the life sciences. The courses are focused around three major areas: the central dogma of biology, the complexity of the human machine and biochemistry. Knowledge and technical skills from these disciplines will allow you to adapt and specialize in the ever-changing fields that require an understanding of living systems. Most students who take this path are interested in, but not limited to, medicine, graduate studies or teaching.
Program Concentrations
This program is made up of the following concentrations. Learn more about concentrations.Concentration Overview
From Replication to Translation, the relationship of DNA to cellular behavior is the focus of this concentration. Since the cell is the smallest independent unit of life, any pursuit in the life sciences should include an understanding of these central concepts. Although most of the material covered in this concentration is microscopic, the applications of these concepts are universally applied to all life.
Courses in this Concentration
Concentration Overview
How does the human machine work? Anatomy, physiology, and microbes define our existence from birth to death, the material in this course is useful for any owner of the human body. If you want to learn how to maximize your quality of life, then the Human Biology concentration could prove invaluable.
Courses in this Concentration
Concentration Overview
The Biochemistry concentration is centered on Organic Chemistry. It begins with an overview of metabolism in General Biology II and culminates with a deep dive into biological chemical pathways in the Biochemistry course. If you are interested in pharmacy or pharmacology, key concepts at the junction of biology and chemistry are covered here.
Courses in this Concentration
Concentrations on this page are required for this program. Additional courses or concentrations may need to be added to meet program or credit requirements.
Program Coursework
- Applied Statistics
- General Biology I
- Cell Physiology
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Anatomy & Physiology Theory I
- Anatomy & Physiology Lab I
- Microbiology
- Microbiology Laboratory
- General Physiology
- Developmental Biology
- General Biology II
- Organic Chemistry I
- Organic Chemistry II
- Organic Chemistry I Lab
- Organic Chemistry II Lab
- Biochemistry
The specific degree requirements on the website are for illustrative purposes and may change at any time. Please contact the Registrar's Office, Academic Advising or refer to the course catalog for detailed program requirements.
Career Opportunities
Many of our recent graduates have chosen traditional routes like Physician Assistant, Physical Therapist, Dentist or M.D., however there has been an increase in interest in areas such as Public Health and Medical Illustration. The need for scientifically trained educators is ever present. Recent research minded graduates have found positions at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Ohio State University and San Francisco State University.
Program Outcomes
- Content Knowledge
- Technical Proficiency
- Ability to communicate ideas using appropriate formats and technical language
Liberal Arts Core
LEADERSHIP: 4 credits
- Freshman Seminar (1 cr.)
- Spiritual & Ethical Literacy (3 cr.)
- Personal Branding Communication (3 cr.)
- Writing for the 21st Century (3 cr.)*
- Quantitative Problem Solving (3 cr.)*
- Language & Culture (3 cr.)
CORE LITERACIES: 15 credits – Choose one (1) course from each broad theme. Course options can be found in the course catalog or on the academic advising page. Broad themes are:
- Narratives of Identity (3 cr.)
- Science, Environment & Culture (3 cr.)
- Social Tensions (3 cr.)
- The American Experience (3 cr.)
- Approving the Better Things (3 cr.)
Professional Core
Culminating Experience
- Pre-Internship
- Internship
- Capstone
Internship Sites
Organizations including but not limited to...
- Norwood Animal Clinic
- Mequon Nature Preserve
- Milwaukee Global Water Center
- Elmhurst Dental
- Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center
- Urban Ecology Center
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- Schlitz Audobon Center
- Milwaukee School of Engineering SMART Program
- New Age Chemical
- Global Water Center
- Open Arms Free Clinic
- VA Medical Center
- The Pavilion of Glacer Valley
- Aurora Medical Center
- Walgreen’s
Limitless Curriculum
The Biology major is composed of three concentrations: Cellular Genetics, Human Biology, Biochemistry.
These concentrations cover many subdisciplines from Anatomy and Physiology to Immunology.
Consider our Cellular Genetics concentration.
Concentration Overview
From Replication to Translation, the relationship of DNA to cellular behavior is the focus of this concentration. Since the cell is the smallest independent unit of life, any pursuit in the life sciences should include an understanding of these central concepts. Although most of the material covered in this concentration is microscopic, the applications of these concepts are universally applied to all life.
Courses in this Concentration
Consider our Human Biology concentration
Concentration Overview
Anatomy, physiology, and microbes define our existence from birth to death, the material in this course is useful for any owner of the human body. If you want to learn how to maximize your quality of life, then the Human Biology concentration could prove invaluable.
Courses in this Concentration
Consider our Biochemistry concentration
Concentration Overview
The Biochemistry concentration is centered on Organic Chemistry. It begins with an overview of metabolism in General Biology II and culminates with a deep dive into biological chemical pathways in the Biochemistry course. Key concepts at the junction of biology and chemistry are covered here.
Courses in this Concentration
On Campus Involvement
The Pre-Med/Pre-Professional Club is for students interested in pre-medical and pre-professional sciences. Our club is involved in the community. We plan science related activities and events and assist one another in admissions for graduate or medical school, as well as discuss fall back options.
This club is organized in hopes of gaining more perspective and insight into healthcare and science fields and building supportive relationships between students who share a common interest in healthcare and science.
Students are provided a collaborative environment where they can interact with other students of all stages of the program, get advice on applying to medical school, study sessions and tutoring for tests and MCAT exam.
Jobs for Biology Majors
Do you love science? Are you intrigued by the study of living things?
The vast majority of our courses include laboratory components which will teach you hands-on skills needed to succeed in the sciences.
The combination of topics and lab experience at Stritch will give you the flexibility to enter any biological field and specialize at higher levels of education or join any laboratory at the technician level.
Contact admissions or the program faculty with questions about this program.
Daniel P. Meer
Chair - Natural Sciences|Faculty - Biology